How to Choose a Baitcaster Reel?
It may be difficult to understand how every piece of equipment works if you are new to the sport. But, in most cases, it is very easy to learn and adapt to minimal differences in models. When you are competing, a baitcaster can be a great reel choice for lakes, ponds and streams. The increased casting accuracy and feel of the line will allow you to make the best catches in the smallest honey holes.
Many people will go and buy gear based on a few things they heard from friends but it is crucial to make the pieces work together. You will need to know which fishing line goes for a certain reel and which fish can be caught. It takes time to learn all the tips and tricks but if you know someone experienced, it will be much easier.
When Do You Use Them?
Like any other type, it will depend on the situation if it will be the best option or not. For example, if you use heavier lines and lures, you will have greater control and accuracy compared to other options. You will mostly have better control unlike with spinning reel. It can be a great challenge if you want to learn how to cast the line properly.
Some of the advantages include the durability and line capacity it has over the spinning type. It will always be the best option for heavier lines and lures, partially because of its lighter weight. You can choose from a wide variety of gear ratios and it’s easier to slow bait with it. The accuracy will mostly be on point and you will have less line twist.
Most of the disadvantages you will have will be because you lack experience. It takes much more time to learn and it is harder to maintain. The difference in price isn’t too big but it’s more expensive. If you use it for the first time, you might notice that jamming is more common. They are generally used for larger saltwater fish because of the durability it has and additional drag pressure.
Choose the Gear Ratio
The simplest way to understand what great ratio is to look at it as the speed of the reel. Common rations you can find for this type are 7.1:1, 6.4:1 and 5.4:1. Those numbers won’t mean anything to you when you don’t know what they mean. If you want a type where you can retrieve a bigger amount of line, look for the higher first number. It shows how many revolutions the spool makes for every turn.
If you want to get what most anglers buy, 6.4:1 is your option. It is an average which means you can use for slow-moving presentations as well as fast. Everything depends on the technique you will use but that comes with time as you learn more. When you are into the sport, you will probably purchase every option when you start to notice the difference. Get more information here: https://www.sportfishingmag.com/high-speed-reels-explained/
Braking Systems
Every reel will come with the implemented braking system which can be adjusted. It’s a very important part because it regulates the rotation speed of the spool so the dreaded backlash won’t happen. It means that once the lure stops moving, the spinning should also stop to prevent messing up the line. The tension should be tighter when the lure is heavier.
Centrifugal brakes can also be adjusted by pushing the pins outward that are placed on the side plate. If you own a six-pin system, make sure that both pins that are across each other are on or off. There are also magnetic brakes that are more complex. The type you choose won’t matter that much because each piece can be adjusted. Remember to do it before you start fishing.
Other Things to Consider
A few things will also be important when making a purchase including frames, handles, line guides, spools and ball bearings. There are graphite and aluminum frames where the first one is lighter and less expensive but isn’t as durable as aluminum. Line guides can be ceramic or titanium but titanium is more high-quality. The handle will depend on individual needs.
Aluminum spools are most common for baitcast reels but you can choose between die-cast and forged. The second one is harder to scratch and more rigid. If there are drilled holes in it, they will be lighter and more expensive. You don’t need to have too many bearings if they are high-quality. Ones to look for include sealed, double-shielded and shielded bearings.
Baitcaster vs Spinning Reel
For each type of fish, you will need a certain type of equipment. Baitcaster is mostly used for larger fish while spinning models are for small and mid-sized fish. Most beginners don’t know how to set up everything on their own. If you just want to start as soon as possible, go with the spinning reel. The problem is that you might lack accuracy as a beginner which means it will be easier if you learn to set up each type.
How long they will last depends on how you maintain it. There isn’t too much work for both types but try to be careful when you are disassembling and cleaning the parts. The price will be determined by the model but generally, baitcaster is more expensive because of the complexity. Always go with a cheaper option at the beginning because you can easily damage an expensive model if you don’t know how to handle it properly. Click here to read more.
